By RYAN TOLMICH
The 2015-16 Premier League season is set to kick off on Saturday with a series of American players set to take up vastly different roles at their respective clubs.
Coming off of a Gold Cup campaign, Brad Guzan looks to regain his form and starting spot with Aston Villa, while Tim Howard and Geoff Cameron look to help improve Everton and Stoke City, respectively, after a summer of recovery.
Meanwhile, youngsters like Gedion Zelalem, DeAndre Yedlin, and Cameron Carter-Vickers continue to fight for playing time in order to develop further at some of the league’s top clubs.
Here’s a closer look at American players in the Premier League and expectations for the 2015-16 season:
GEOFF CAMERON, STOKE CITY
Geoff Cameron reportedly skipped out on this summer’s Gold Cup at the request of his club, and now Stoke City will hope that that move pays dividends in the new season. Now healthy and riding a summer of recovery, Cameron is fully expected to step right back into the Stoke defense.
The question of where exactly he fits in that defense remains, though, as Stoke recently acquired former Liverpool right back Glen Johnson. With that, Cameron could be more likely to see most of his minutes centrally, especially with the two-month injury to Ryan Shawcross. Cameron could also, however, provide cover at the fullback position or in the midfield should the need arise. If Cameron can provide stability at the back, Stoke has the potential to make a bit of a run with summer signing Ibrahim Affelay leading the way alongside Bojan Krkic.
CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS, TOTTENHAM
Just 17-years old, Cameron Carter-Vickers is continuing to build his resume following a strong Under-20 World Cup. Proving to be mature beyond his years to go with his hulking frame, Carter-Vickers has featured prominently in the club’s reserves while continuing to develop at a rapid rate.
That progress has seen the centerback earn minutes in several preseason games, and he’s impressed in the process. While contributing to a team in top four contention is still a ways away, it’s not out of the question to see Carter-Vickers earn a spot on the bench for a cup match or two at some point.
BRAD GUZAN, ASTON VILLA
After an eventful summer with the U.S. Men’s National Team, Guzan is set to return for another season at Aston Villa. Despite going through a bit of a rough patch last season, Guzan has been pegged by Villa manager Tim Sherwood as the team’s starter, especially after the departure of Shay Given.
Guzan does have the potential and skillset to reclaim his status in the upper echelon of Premier League goalkeepers, but his abilities will certainly need to shine for a Villa side that will be up against it from the get go. Having lost Christian Benteke and his 15-goal tally from last season, Villa will be forced to lean on veterans like Guzan and the recently-acquired Micah Richards in a season that may yield a relegation fight.
TIM HOWARD, EVERTON
Returning for his 10th season with Everton, this season may be a bit of a make-or-break for Tim Howard after 389 games for the club. The American goalkeeper was far from at his best last season, earning a fair share of criticism for a string of errors that saw the Toffees drop plenty of points en route to a disappointing 11th-placed finish.
While Howard has stated his intentions of returning to the international game, his club form will have to improve in order to have a serious shot at starting for the U.S. Mens National Team again. If Howard can play at the level many are accustomed to seeing him at, Everton should be an improved side, even if Chelsea does end up snatching up-and-coming centerback John Stones.
DEANDRE YEDLIN, TOTTENHAM
Entering his first full Premier League season, DeAndre Yedlin’s club situation remains very much up in the air. Recently left behind as the club concluded preseason, Yedlin is still being looked at as a major candidate to go on loan, with a lower-end Premier League side or a Championship team proving the likely destinations.
Should he stay at Tottenham, Yedlin will be in a dogfight for first-team minutes given Spurs’ depth at right back. Incumbent starter Kyle Walker isn’t going anywhere, while newcomer Kieran Trippier has impressed in preseason. While Yedlin could see minutes as a super-sub in a simiar role to that as his current one with the USMNT, it’s hard to see the speedster making a major impact for a Spurs team in the hunt for a Champions League berth.
GEDION ZELALEM, ARSENAL
At just 18 years of age, Gedion Zelalem still has plenty of growing to do before making an impact on a club with the stature of Arsenal’s. Zelalem, who made two appearances for the club in recent years, should be a candidate to earn a spot on the bench in Arsenal’s series of cup ties, especially if he can continue to grow and impress manager Arsene Wenger.
Still, regular minutes are likely a few years away, especially after seeing some of his limitations at the Under-20 World Cup. Still developing a left foot while growing into his body, Zelalem has shown well for Arsenal’s youth teams already this season, a level he is likely to remain at while Wenger keeps an eye on his development.
Bradley chose 6 million a year in Toronto over 1.5 million in ROME.
He missed out on CL by 6 months. Shame. he had the talent.
Good on him: now he has an extra 4.5 million dollars. Even in Canadian currency, that’s kind of a lot of money. He can visit ROME all he wants now.
yikes,
You are assuming Mikey would have played regularly for Roma had he stayed.
We can never know for sure but there is plenty of evidence that he would not have with Roma bringing in players like Radja Nainggolan
i miss the days of Dempsey, Bradley and Altidore playing in Europe
damn you MLS for offering them 3-5 times the money they were making in Europe
Howard’s “club form will have to improve in order to have a serious shot at starting for the U.S. Mens National Team again.” Are you high? Stupid? Have you not watched Guzan? Timmy walks back into the team as #1. Period.
You list CCV who hasn’t played a 1st team match yet but is knocking on the 1st team door, yet you left out Lynden Gooch who is also knocking on the 1st team door at CCV.
Did y’all forget Gooch is American and chose to represent the US at youth level? He hasn’t switched to Ireland yet has he?
What makes you say Gooch is near the first team? You could be right just based on the fact it’d be easier to break into Sunderland.
I can still remember when there were four American keepers alone playing in Premier League. Keller, Friedel, Howar and Hahnneman
At one time Fulham had 5 Americans on the roster. I think it was Mc
Bride, Dempsey, Bocanegra, Keller, and maybe Eddie Johnson.
that was back in 07 right? damn a long time ago when Eddie johnson was still starting for the NT and groomed for a big club in the PL
I find myself with very little interest in the Premier league. Few Americans there, not much European success, selling off its best players like Bale, Suarez, legends of the league like Gerrard leaving. Just not much pulling me in at the moment.
IMO the German league is more entertaining to watch than the BPL. Thankfully its on Fox now instead of Gol.
Yeah I think I’m going to try and watch that more, Bayern will probably run away with the title again, but the atmosphere of the matches is still great.
EPL still very exciting with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and a rejuvenated ManU. It’s the most competitive top league in Europe amongst the top 6 or so teams.
Yeah I’m sure I’ll be pulled in again by the end of the season, but I just feel like something is missing at the start of this one.
Jozy is what’s missing, lol
haha yeah, following that train wreck, probably soured me on the league a little too.
Jozy’s failure at Sunderland had an embarrassing, negative effect all out of proportion to the reality because, at the time, in the BPL, he was the US’ sole first team regular who was an outfield, attacking player.
A few years earlier that role was filled, in a much more glorious and positive fashion , by Clint Dempsey. Deuce’s outstanding performance was a source of pride for Americans in a way that was more noticeable than the success of our other BPL representatives in great part because scoring goals is harder to do. There are many more reliable keepers and defenders/midfielders than there are goal scorers.
Cameron, Howard and Guzan as defenders and keepers are judged by standard that is much lower profile. Their performance good, bad or indifferent tends to go unappreciated by the casual observer.
However when Jozy went so long without scoring everyone, even the most casual soccer fan, American or otherwise could appreciate the futility .
There are plenty of examples of newly signed forwards, who were not Americans, such as Soldado, and Falcao who have failed to produce instant results.
However unfair it may be, Jozy will probably stained for life by this, unless he wins the Golden Boot in the 2018 World Cup and leads the US into the final. And even then he would remain hated on SBI.
However, the idea that Americans should not try to do something because it is hard and they might fail seems a little underwhelming to me.
But that seems to be the SBI mantra., “stay in MLS you are less likely to be embarrassed”.
That sounds like a perfect formula for producing great players.
you have the perfect response
“Despite going through a bit of a rough patch last season, Villa manager Tim Sherwood has pegged Guzan as the team’s number one”
Who is that going through the rough patch– Sherwood? Guzan? Brer Rabbit?
For alducka teams that could be made in a blog… I thought someone would’ve gone after Ryan for the 2014/15 season error made at the very beginning of the post.
Who’s in the Championship now?
-Ream
-Lichaj
-Spector
Who else?
Danny Williams,
Cody Cropper, Emerson Hyndman
Duane Holmes (Huddersfield Town)
thanks Dinho
Cameron at Centre Back is a disaster waiting to happen
Have you actually watched him play? Are you high? Did you watch any of the U20 wc?
Perhaps you meant “Tottenham’s center back pairing are disastrous”.
Vertonghen and Fazio are as average as it gets and CCV getting playing time in some cup competitions won’t be unexpecte.
Was he talking about Geoff or CCV?
You’ve have clearly mixed up Geoff Cameron (who he was referring to) who currently plays for Stoke and Cameron Carter Vickers who is on the Tottenham reverses. That being Said, Cameron has not looked good at CB (mainly because he is not used to playing there, but I think he has the talent). People seem to forget that Cameron was really responsible for both goals that Portugal scored against the USMNT during the World Cup. John Brooks sometimes looks shaky, but at least he has the excuse of saying that he is 22. Cameron is 30, but he is jack of all trades defensively.
The USMNT’s centerback positions are in deep trouble! “Cameron at Centre Back is a disaster waiting to happen.” Omar Gonzalez looked shaky in the Gold Cup 3rd place game against Panama. Gonzalez’s 1st half poor missing sliding tackle in the box that resulted in Tim Ream’s goal line clearance was shocking and terrifying. Most US fans were heavily criticizing Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks’ poor play during the Gold Cup and didn’t want to see them on the field, at least for now. Matt Besler actually didn’t look all that better during the MLS All Star Game. Who are we going to put in the CB in the Confed playoff game on Oct. 10th? If I had to put my money on this one-off game, I’ll go with Cameron and Gonzalez/Brooks.
You’re really judging Besler based on an all star game? Lmao
No one is judging Besler on the All Star game.
But the mistake he made, slipping and letting Kane in for the goal is the sort of howler all of the popular US centerback candidates, Besler, Gonzo, Brooks, Alvarado and Cameron have committed while playing for the US at one time or another.
It reminds us that none of these guys are candidates to be bought by Chelsea.
People slam JK for his CB choices, but they fail to realize that USMNT has CRAP CBs. Omar Gonzalez has ALWAYS looked shaky at the international level minus his ability to score an international goal (think John Brooks with less upside). Cameron at CB can make mistakes. Ventura is too raw. Brooks takes 2 steps forward then sometimes 1 or 2 steps back in the next game. Besler was the only who impressed me by how steady he was, but he has slipped this season.
Wow, didn’t realize there were this few Americans in the Prem. 2 youth team players, 2 goalkeepers, and Yedlin might go on loan to a Championship team. That would leave Geoff as the only US field player. Wow.
Kind of sad, really. Because of UK work-permit laws we’re never going to get large numbers of Americans playing in the Prem. Basically if you don’t have a work permit or citizenship in the EU, you can’t get a work permit in the UK unless you’re a starting member of a Top-50 (up from Top-75) International squad…and that “starting” means you need to have appeared in 70% of the International squad’s matches over the past year.
Unless you can find a way around that – and the English FA is increasingly reluctant to grant exemptions, since they’re trying to make both the Prem and Championship more “English” – there’s just no way in, as even guys like Juan Agudelo found out the hard way.
Personally I think it’s a crappy way to treat their biggest political ally – we’re a LOT more lenient about letting Englishmen over here – but it’s how it is. So the doors are barred to the most natural nation for our upper-echelon players to succeed in Europe. Nor does it look like Italy or Spain are exactly beating our doors down to recruit our guys, even Spanish-speaking ones.
Considering the USMNT is probably better than the English NT right now – which is an aberration they’re increasingly having a hard time just explaining away – it’s their loss, but definitely MLS’s gain.
The “succeed in Europe” pipedream is increasingly becoming just that for most American players. Except for the odd exceptions that have dual-citizenship, our guys aren’t going to even be allowed into Europe, for the most part.
So be it. I don’t like it…but basically it means, if we want it, we’re going to have to grow it domestically, with MLS. That’s been the reality for awhile now.
That’s a nice way to look at it. I assumed it was because our boys aren’t good enough these days.
Also, they aren’t.
Bull. Simple math tells you how unlikely that is.
There’s about 160 pro or semi-pro teams in England, with a population of roughly 60 million.
Between MLS (20), NASL (11), and USSL (24), there’s already around 55 pro teams in the USA…with a population of 318 million.
Are you telling me, that with our 55 teams, there’s only maybe 6-7 American players good enough to play in England’s top two leagues? Yeah, right. Our guys are not playing Nerf Soccer.
Especially consider how many Welsh, Irish, and Scottish players are playing in the EPL – there are dozens – and tell me that again with a straight face.
” how many Welsh, Irish, and Scottish players are playing in the EPL”
What does that have to do with American players?
Oh, so we’re worse than Ireland, Wales, and Scotland now too?
The difference is English teams are allowed to actually employ them.
quozzel,
The Welsh, Irish, and Scots like the Italians, French , Germans, etc, are all under the EU umbrella.
Those players are not subject to the same permit restrictions that Americans and other non EU players are subject to.
If America wants to get rid of those restrictions then maybe if there are enough American owners they can lobby for it.
Until then I don’t think the BPL has an obligation to serve as a developmental league for the USMNT. The BPL is supposed to be a place where the best players in the world go. But getting there and thriving there are not just a function of talent alone. There are plenty of players, American and otherwise, who are talented enough to play there who , for one reason or another do not.
If I’m a BPL team and I have a choice of two players one Scottish and one American and they are more or less of equal ability I will probably pick the local guy because they are more likely to settle. .These teams are businesses and they do what is most convenient for them.
I don’t know why you think the BPL should have some sort of affirmative action program for Americans but they don’t.
Affirmative Action??? That is not how it works!